Suriname Global Course 2011 Dr. Elena Bastidas and Aniuska Luna Department of Conflict Analysis and Resolution Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences Nova Southeastern University Suriname Study Abroad 2011 1 Executive Summary This summer thirteen DCAR students traveled to the fascinating country of Suriname as part of the SHSS Study Abroad Program. The goal of this interdisciplinary program is to introduce students to the field of environmental conflict in the context of international development. To attain this goal, the group traveled to Suriname and for eleven intense days experienced the historical, ecological and cultural diversity of this beautiful country in South America. During the first part of the trip we had the opportunity to interact with government officials, university professors, natural resource management experts, and development practitioners. Through their lectures and presentations, these experts provided us with Suriname’s socioeconomic, cultural, political, and ecological contexts needed to understand the complexity of conflict situations in this diverse country. Through the second part of the trip we were immersed in the Surinamese culture, visiting several regions of the country, including mining and agricultural areas, the biggest rice mill in the Caribbean, the biggest hydroelectric plant in Suriname, and various other development projects underway. Most significantly, we interacted with the Surinamese people. We heard the hopes and problems of commercial and small farmers, men and women who depend on agriculture for their livelihood. We interacted with families that opened their homes to us and were patient enough to answer all the questions our group had related to their livelihoods, culture, religion, and life in general. We experienced the local cuisine, traditions, and natural environment of Suriname. Towards the end of the trip we returned to the capital city of Paramaribo, where we spent time reflecting on how our understanding of Suriname and its people had been shaped by our experienced lectures, field trips and participant observations. Students began focusing on their final projects, analyzing specific conflicts and linking trip experiences to theoretical frameworks in our field of study. During our stay we were asked by government officials and other guest speakers to provide them with a training workshop on conflict resolution. They were intrigued by 8/2011 Suriname Study Abroad 2011 2 our field of study and wanted to learn more about how to manage conflicts at different levels. In a couple of days, with only a few hours to plan students delivered a professional workshop that introduced participants to three main areas of conflict resolution: Interpersonal Conflict, Systems Theory and Conflict, and linking macro and micro level conflict using a Sustainable Livelihood Systems approach. Students were able to connect theory to real-life examples from Suriname, making the workshop relevant to the audience. The workshop was attended by 25 people from government, NGOs, university and private industry, and was very well received. The next day we were invited by government officials to discuss the possibility of collaboration between NSU and the government of Suriname. Suriname is going through a process of land rights reform affecting diverse stakeholders, some of whom have been involved in conflicts for many years. We hope this initiative can develop into a true scholarship of engagement project between NSU and the government of Suriname. We left Suriname hoping to return soon, our minds now even more open to diversity and to the need for the multidisciplinary nature of research in our field. After this Study Abroad experience we certainly feel more knowledgeable, but at the same time more cognizant of the need to learn from the people involved in the conflicts we want to facilitate. We are more patient with others and more eager to contribute to development as positive change. We observed, talked, ate, analyzed, laughed, and cried with the people of Suriname; these experiences transformed our lives! We would like to extend our gratitude to our host Gwendolyn Smith, Director, ACT Suriname, for all the long hours of planning and effort she and her staff spent to make this trip possible. Gwendolyn and her organization treated us like family, for which we are most thankful. To our guest speakers, especially Dr. Naipal and Cedrick, thank you for your insights and the passion with which you deliver your topics; you introduced our group to the real Suriname! We remain forever indebted to the people of Suriname for making this trip a life changing experience. Dr. Elena Bastidas and Aniuska Luna 8/2011 Suriname Study Abroad 2011 3 Contents Executive Summary ........................................................ 1 Program Description ....................................................... 4 Program Overall Goals .................................................... 4 Advanced Practicum 6624 / Course Objectives ............. 4 Format and Procedures .................................................. 5 Faculty in charge of the Study Abroad Program ............ 5 Program Coordinator/Graduate Assistant ..................... 5 Host and Host Organization ........................................... 6 Suriname Itinerary .......................................................... 7 Day by day activities with students comments .............. 8 Biographies - Speakers ................................................. 17 Suriname Study Abroad Participants ............................ 21 Evaluations ................................................................... 27 8/2011 Suriname Study Abroad 2011 4 Program Description This practicum is developed around an interdisciplinary course that introduces students to the field of Environmental Conflict in the context of International Development. Topics covered include environmental sustainability, land rights, biodiversity, human health, and sustainable livelihoods. As part of the course, students travel to Suriname for eleven days, during their summer term and visit different ecosystems, indigenous communities and development projects throughout Suriname. In these different ecosystems students have the opportunity to interact with local farmers, community groups, local organizations and policy-makers. Using a livelihood systems approach students explore the relationship between individuals, households, communities and ecosystems, in order to improve understanding of the diversity in these systems and its implications for social and economic development. Program Overall Goals vivecuador.com The goals of this program are to provide an overseas experience that will: Enhance students’ cross-cultural skills and foster sensitivity, appreciation, and understanding of diversity and global issues Familiarize graduate students with different cultures and environments Provide opportunities to exchange ideas, information and knowledge with South American colleagues Advanced Practicum 6624 / Course Objectives As mentioned previously, the Suriname Study Abroad Program will be structured around a graduate level course on Environmental Conflict. The students’ outcomes for this course are the following: Apply a livelihood systems framework to explore conflict issues among individuals, households, communities and ecosystems, in order to improve understanding of diversity in these systems and its implications for social and economic development, and policy interventions. Describe how specific social science frames are utilized in the analysis and resolution of environmental conflicts. Differentiate how various levels of government work with or against themselves in environmental and public disputes and how interveners can aid in the resolution of internal party disputes. Apply a systems approach to analyze environmental and public disputes. Use multidisciplinary intervention teams and focus on the substance of issues along with process considerations to more effectively control process dynamics. Dissect complex environmental and public disputes into component parts. 8/2011 Suriname Study Abroad 2011 5 Format and Procedures The course will be taught using an experiential learning approach. There will be two types of course interaction. Four sessions will be taught via Elluminate in the WebCT section for the class. These sessions will provide background information, logistics and introduction to the themes of the course. Then, students and faculty will travel to Suriname where the study abroad course will take place for 11 consecutive days. Faculty in charge of the Study Abroad Program Dr. Elena Bastidas is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Conflict Analysis and Resolution at Nova Southeastern University. Elena has a Ph.D. and M.S. in Food & Resource Economics, and an M.S. in Agricultural Education & Communication from University of Florida. Elena is a native of Ecuador and joined the faculty of the School of Humanities and Social Science (SHSS) in the fall of 2007. She has developed the Latin American Study Abroad Program for SHSS and teaches Environmental conflict, Conflict in International Development and Quantitative Research Methods courses. Elena focuses on conflict issues in the areas of International development, Community-based conservation, Farming Systems Research and Extension, Gender Analysis, and Participatory Action Research. Program Coordinator/Graduate Assistant Aniuska Luna is a doctoral candidate in Conflict Analysis and Resolution